He’s been an avid fan and supporter of heavy metal for decades, and is consistently on the radio (the nationally syndicated radio show Eddie Trunk Rocks and Eddie Trunk Live on Sirius) and TV (That Metal Show). He is Eddie Trunk, who can now add “author” to his resume, as his first-ever book, Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, will be released on April 1st, via Abrams Image.

EDDIE TRUNK: There are some stories I never talked about with me and the artists in the book. Bon Jovi offering me a job, the night Axl Rose came to my radio studio, tons of personal stuff plus my thoughts on the bands and why I love them. It’s really a hybrid of many things, opinions, why I love the bands, a personal experience with almost all of them, my playlists of favorite songs and much more. Its 50% stories and text, 50% incredible photos – most of which were never published. The photos tie in with the stories because the photographer (Ron Akiyama) is an old friend who was actually at the shows with me I’m talking about. People are loving that aspect early on. Some funny candid shots to, like me signing Ace Frehley when I worked at Megaforce in 1986.

UGO: I heard that there is a moving chapter about Ronnie James Dio in the book.

EDDIE TRUNK: Many have pointed that one out. That chapter had to be rewritten because Ronnie passed away after the original one was done, so it was very fresh when I had to redo it. It talks about my experience hosting his memorial and I dedicated the book to him and Eric Carr, a dear friend who I still miss even though he has been gone 20 years. Two great rockers that were great people.

UGO: What can fans expect from the upcoming season of That Metal Show?

EDDIE TRUNK: For the first time ever some repeat guests from early on. This is Season 7, there are now almost 80 shows, and it was time to welcome back some of the early believers who took a shot on the show. So a balance of first timers and return guests who much has changed for. Any talk show has return guests so it was time, plus Kirk Hammett from Metallica, David Coverdale, Sebastian Bach, all among the first timers. And most important we retain the same 1-hour format introduced last season with 2 guests and all the features everyone wants in.

UGO: Why do you think Ozzy nor Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley have not appeared on That Metal Show?

EDDIE TRUNK: You would need to ask them. We honestly do not know and when there is no communication back you can only speculate. They have all been asked. In the case of Ozzy it’s really Sharon, I’m sure he doesn’t even know! In the case of Gene and or Paul, again, ask them. We are huge fans of the band, I have supported them on many fronts for decades like nobody else. And yes, I have made it known I am not a fan of what they do now, but why not sit down and defend it? Why wipe away 99% support for decades because of one thing?! I’m a fan, being critical of what you like and don’t like with your favorite bands is part of that. Tons of bands I have had my shots at over the years, but they all sit down and talk about it and many cases agree in retrospect! I can’t worry about what people think I said or if you’re hypersensitive. We cannot compromise what we do. It’s what makes the show work. Being truthful as fans and being able to express an opinion is what we do and many of our guests do. We love all these guys even if we don’t like something they did at one point, up to them to come around. The door is always open to them, come mix it up, have some fun, hell, fire back at me! God knows I have a thick skin after all these years. It’s their fans to who are being cheated. They want to see these guys on a show where the hosts actually know the music and didn’t just read a one sheet before they walked out. It’s the show their real audience is watching at the end of the day. Hope they step up and do it but we have plenty that want to if they don’t. I grew up a huge fan of Howard Stern, he KILLS people, and guess what? They still come and talk to him.

UGO: Out of all the interviews you’ve conducted over the years, which was the best…and which was the weirdest?

EDDIE TRUNK: Anytime you get guys that have fun and are well spoken and mix it up, it’s great. Doing this almost 30 years I now know many of these guys, so there is a comfort level. The people who are always great are Rob Halford (he did my book’s foreword), the late Dio, Sammy Hagar, Bobby Blitz, Slash, even guys like Chris Jericho, he is a close friend but we have a blast on the air. Dee Snider also speaks his mind. As far as weird, I guess the only one I can think of is the late Peter Steele. Obviously, he had issues in his life sadly. He came on my radio show and didn’t want to talk about Type O, kept apologizing, and then kind of broke down on the air, back around 2002.

If hard rock and heavy-metal journalism have their own Eddie Murrow, it’s Eddie Trunk. Via his web site, as a co-host of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show, and his programs on both terrestrial and satellite radio, Trunk brings a professional’s objectivity and a fan’s passion together in one persona.

In this book, Trunk picks 35 “essential” bands of the genre, from AC/DC, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth to Poison, Rush, Slayer, and Van Halen. Each group gets a chapter that runs down their history, discography, obscure trivia, and Trunk’s own suggested “playlist.”

But what makes the book a joy to read are Trunk’s own anecdotes and stories of his interactions with musicians over the years – including some of whom became personal friends, like Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford – as well as his brutally-honest opinions about some of their career moves and music.

Trunk may be the biggest KISS fan on the planet, but he still takes Gene and Paul to task for putting Ace and Peter’s makeup on two different players. He also spotlights overlooked music from many groups. Overall, it’s enough to satisfy both the neophyte and the hardcore of any act.

The book also looks great with high-quality, slick paper, mostly unseen concert shots spanning years, and band memorabilia.

If there is a quibble, it’s that the chapters aren’t long enough, and Trunk does repeat a few of the same stories. (Yes, we know he’s friends with baseball’s Mike Piazza…) Minor issues to be sure. Hard rock and heavy metal music have no better champion and critic than Eddie Trunk, and this book reflects that in abundance.

11/23/12: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. Back live on the radio tonight at 11PM ET on Q104.3 NYC. Joining me in studio will be Sebastian Bach. I’ve known Bas for 25 years and we always have a blast when he’s in studio. Lot’s to talk about and lot’s of music to get to as well. Outside the NYC area you can hear the show free streaming at www.q1043.com or with the FREE iheartradio app. Just hit Q104.3 under Classic Rock in NYC. Show is live 11P-2A and my TMS partner Jim Florentine will also be hanging out. Don’t miss this one.

For all the stations besides Q104 that air my show you will get a brand new exclusive interview with Jason Newsted in this weeks show! Don’t forget I’m on in Boston now Sunday nights at 7P on WAAF! No Pats game Sunday so be sure to tune in and spread the word. I will be in Boston for an event mid Jan, more info very soon.

Looking forward to seeing a headline set by Cheap Trick tomorrow night at The Sands in Bethlehem PA. They even let me call in some requests! Should be fun.

No new TMS tapings until 2013, more news when I have it.

Headed to L.A. for a few days Wednesday. Don & I will be co-hosting the Metal Blade 30th Anniversary Party at HOB in L.A. next Friday night with a set from Armored Saint. Congrats to Brian, Mike and all the Metal Blade crew on the decades of metal greatness. I’ll also be taking part in a Motorhead Behind The Music shoot and seeing UFO at the Key Club this Thursday. See you soon L.A.

I hear much about the amount of ballads on this album, but nobody says it also has 15 songs on the standard edition, 20 on the deluxe. So even if you take out 4 ballads it’s still 11 rocking tunes. It is not a perfect album, but it is damn good. The production is warm and not over compressed. You hear everything. All the band members (still original) write and contribute. Many different sides and stuff that hints at classic Aerosmith. “Street Jesus”, “Luv XXX”, “Beautiful”, “Out Go The Lights”, “Oh Yeah”, all just vintage sounding Aerosmith. Joe Perry on vocals for two tracks “Freedom Fighter” and “Something” which also features Tyler on drums. The Zeppelin-ish Legendary Child features Tyler in top form, spitting out the story of the band in a way only he can. Monster riffing and the ageless Joey Kramer laying down the signature pocket like only he can. Having seen three live shows so far on the tour, the band STILL gets it done on stage too. Great accomplishment for a band at this stage in their career and after waiting so long for it they delivered. For me the best Aerosmith album since Pump. Also check out the band drawing in the CDs booklet, it was done by Slash when he was a kid. Pretty cool!

When asked about the recent reports in the New York Post’s Page Six column stating that the band was not getting along, among other negative claims, Perry joked, “It must have been a slow news week.”

The guitarist continued, “We were wondering, ‘Who’s saying this?’ and ‘Why are they saying this?’ It’s totally wrong and irrelevant. The least they could have done was get [the facts] right…[The people they quoted] haven’t have anything to do with the band in 10 or 12 years. The band is getting along better than ever. We were thinking about [releasing a statement], but then why even validate it by even answering?”

Perry added, “No matter what goes on [behind the scenes]. We do everything and put aside everything for the fans. We give everything up for the audience.”

Perry stated that after Aerosmith wrap up their current tour dates with Cheap Trick in December, the guitarist plans on continuing to work on his book and doing some “solo stuff.” He added that Aerosmith hopes to hit road again this summer.

Remaining dates on Aerosmith’s Global Warming tour are as follows:

November:

20, Madison Square Garden New York, NY

23 Revel Ovation Hall Atlantic City, NJ

25 Nationwide Arena Columbus, OH

27 Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON, Canada

December:

1 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV

3 Staples Center Los Angeles, CA

6 New Orleans Arena New Orleans, LA

9 BT&T Center Fort Lauderdale, FL

11 Tampa Bay Times Forum Tampa, FL

13 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN

Aerosmith’s new album Music From Another Dimension! was released on November 6th through Columbia Records. The album debuted at Number 5 on the Billboard 200.

As Bon Jovi gears up for a monumental year, the all-American rock icons have announced the first set of U.S. dates, taking them from coast to coast on their Bon Jovi Because We Can–The Tour.

The tour will begin in Uncasville, CT on February 9th, treating fans to one night-only performances in U.S. arenas nationwide, plus multiple stadium shows including a two night stand at MetLife Stadium in the band’s home state of New Jersey.

Ensuring that there is truly something for every fan, Bon Jovi is offering a wide range of ticket options, starting at $19.50 (plus service charges). Tickets will go on sale in select markets beginning Friday, November 30th.

Overwhelming demand for the band’s previously announced Canadian dates has already led to second shows in Montreal and Toronto, and Bon Jovi has plenty more in store. The band will expand their current tour schedule with additional North American dates including Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA; Ford Field in Detroit, MI, and many more. The current tour itinerary is listed below, with further details to come. View U.S. tour announcement video below.

The tour, promoted by AEG Live in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., will debut brand new songs from Bon Jovi’s upcoming album What About Now, to be released in Spring 2013, loading even more ammunition into the band’s huge arsenal of hits. The group’s return to the road in 2013 will launch the latest chapter in an ongoing blockbuster run which has already secured Bon Jovi’s status as the essential live rock band – having performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 35 million fans.Bon JoviI Because We Can–The Tour will make its way across the globe with dates in Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia.